MULTILINGUALISM AND AUDIO

DESCRIPTION: An analysis of the Elvish translation in the

audio description of the trilogy “Lord of the Rings”

Elena Buelga Herrero elenabuelga@gmail.com

Objectives (1)• Main objectives:

1. Analysing the presence of L3 in the dubbed Spanish version of the trilogy Lord of the Rings.

2. Analysing the function of L3 in the three films in Spanish.

3. Analysing how all conversations with L3 (Elvish) occurence have been translated and audio described.

Objectives (2)• Specific Objectives: 1. Analyzing how the present requirements of rule

UNE 153020 (2005) have been applied in the AD of the trilogy Lord of the Rings.

2. Explaining decisions regarding Elvish translations. 3. Quantifying translation strategies, as well as

omissions in the Elvish translation. 4. Analyzing and quantifying linguistic and style

changes, if any, between the subtitles in the dubbed version and the audio description (AD).

Methodology (1)• Analysis of Lord of the Rings:

➢Remael (2012): audio-subtitling (AST) and subtitling.

➢Braun y Orero (2010): Number, gender and age of voices in relation to characters and the question of whether the foreign dialogue should be audible, even if it is not comprehensible.

➢Pujol y Santamaria (2018): presence of L3 and L3

as an invented language.

Methodology (2)➢Films: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers,

The Return of the King ! Dubbed Spanish version (not extended) ! Audio described version by ONCE (2003) ➢Trafilm data base ➢Analysis of L3 scenes where ! Quantification of the strategies employed

! Comparison dubbed vs. audio described version

! Modalities detected and their explanation ! Other questions (character’s voices, subtitles)

L3:Definition and challenges• L3 is neither the (L1) in the ST nor L2 in the TT: it is any

other language(s) found in either text (Corrius, 2008:1). • L3 can be characterised by the fact that they do not

have or have never had actual native speakers (Pujol y Santamaria, 2018:5).

• Trafilm: ! most of the conversations in Elvish translated (subtitles). !Not translated: secondary characters/ not indispensable sentences. • Audio description: bigger challenges to reflect the

realism and multiculturalism transmitted by L3.

L3 translation modalities

• Dubbed films: subtitling. • Films directed to people with visual impairment:

audio description and audio-subtitling. oAudio-subtitling: in the audio described version ! Voice-in-between (Wozniak 2012): after

the original voice if there is a pause or gap. ! Voice-over: overlap with the original

voice. X NO DUBBING. oOmission: in dubbed versions.

Example 1: Voice-in-between• The Fellowship of the Ring: First part, 2nd

scene.

Example 2: Voice-over• The Fellowship of the Ring: First part, 3rd

scene.

Example 3: Omission• The Return of the King: Second part, 9th

scene.

Challenges audio-subtitling and audio description

RESULTS oThere are no changes or reduction in the subtitles.

oVoices: 2

•Female and young voice: Arwen

Subtitles acted out ! naturality •Male voice (narrator): male characters

Subtitles not acted out

o Mostly male characters, male voice narrator.

Conclusions (1)MAIN OBJECTIVES

1) Elvish translation strategies: o Voice-in-between: always present when there are gaps in the

dialogue (14 conversations / 36 scenes). o Voice-over when there are not gaps (9 conversations / 36 scenes). o 19 scenes not translated (omitted), which correspond all in the

dubbed version.

2) Aesthetics: Elvish is perceived in its totality in most of the scenes ! L3 transmits beauty and multiculturalism.

Conclusions (2)SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

3) Requirements of rule UNE 153020 partly accomplished: o Characters’ voices: gender distinction, but not the age or other

factors. o Although characters are mostly male, the narrator is a man. o Female voice subtitles are acted out, male voice subtitles are not.

4) Linguistic and style changes: o Subtitles and AST: none. o Absence of subtitles in “The Fellowship of The Ring” and “The

Return of The King”.

Conclusions (3)

FUTURE RESEARCH

➢ Are specific decisions required when L3 is an invented language?

➢ Voice-in-between when technical parameters allow it.

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